Shoe heel



April 16, 1963 v. B. SILBER 3,085,578

SHOE HEEL Filed May 24, 1961 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 c, f INVENTOR. B i 4More Bap/A 20 6/1436 BY 7 J 7k?" WLWM April 16, 1963 v. B. SILBER3,085,578

SHOE HEEL Filed May 24, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L ii My invention relatesto shoe constructions and more particularly to shoes having a ribbedwalking surface.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending, sinceabandoned application Serial Number 57,839 filed September 22, 1960.

Normally, the weight should be distributed between the ball and theplantar tubercles of the os calcis of the normal foot. If weight isapplied to the bony arch rising forwardly of the plantar tubercles ofthe os ca cis, the normal foot experiences fatigue and then pain. It isobvious that when barefooted the normal foots arch does not experienceany weight application. So also the normal foot when bare will roll backto a plantar address to the terrain if it should be slightly canted whenit touches. The soft flesh on the extremes of the sides of the feet willyield and the canted foot will in effect right itself.

When the normal foot is encased in the usual shoe, a considerable amountof shock is transmitted through the solid shoe to the arch, thus causingeventual fatigue and pain. Also very slight canting, which in the normalgait is bound to occur, but which is corrected as above when barefooted,tends to increase to great canting with time. Thus, the slightly cantedfoot tends to Wear the heel at one side until a fulcrum caused by thewear moved inward and the foot rolls over to a cant even when correctlyaddressed. This progressive canting changes the gait in compensation andcauses fatigue and eventual pain.

The most common abnormality in feet is weak arches. The most commonabnormality in gait in excessive cant in addressing the terrain. Thus asto canting the normal foot and the abnormal foot are both aggravated bythe usual shoe constructions. But as to weak arches, the abnormal footrequires What the normal foot is healthier without, that is, archsupports. As explained, arch supports tend to transmit shock to a partnot intended to receive it, yet the discomfort they cause the normalfoot thereby is greatly outweighed by the pain easing support they givethe abnormal foot.

Prior art constructions have not been fully satisfactory for the needsof either the normal foot and gait Or for the weak arched foot andcanted gait. Even more pronounced has been the lack of a shoeconstruction suitable for all feet, normal and abnormal. This has led tospecial shoes for the needs of the wearer, thus greatly increasingcosts.

It is, therefore, the primary object of my invention to provide a shoeconstruction that urges the user to walk properly so as to conform tosound medical health requirements and to experience no excess fatigue orpain in prolonged Walking.

Another object of my invention is to provide a shoe construction thatmay be used by normal as Well as abnormal feet and that may be adaptedto existing shoes, so as to insure widespread use and consequent lowcost.

Other objects of my invention will become more apparent from thefollowing description illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the heel of thepresent invention mounted on a shoe; FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the heelof FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational section view of the heel of FIGURES 1 and 2taken along line 3-3 in FIG=- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a rear schematic view of the ordinary heel showing a wearpattern;

atent 3,085,578 Patented Apr. 16, 1963 FIGURE 5 is a rear schematic viewof a ribbed heel showing a wear pattern;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the heel of thepresent invention mounted on a shoe;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the heel of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is an elevational section view of the heel of FIGURES 6 and 7taken along line 88 in FIG- URE 7.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, afirst embodiment of the heel 10 constructed according to the presentinvention comprises a resilient body portion 11 which is mounted on ashoe 30 so as to extend forwardly from the back of the shoe in the usualmanner. The heel 10 may be affixed to the shoe 24) by the usualexpedients, that is, by sewing to the welt or by nailing or cementing,as desired.

A pair of longitudinally extending ribs 12 and 13 depend from the bodyportion 11 and are spaced apart with their outer edges coinciding withthe outer edges of the body portion and meet in rear portion 19 so thatwhen the shoe 30 is flush on the terrain the appearance of heel 10 isonly slightly different from ordinary heels. Ribs 12 and 13 arerelatively narrow compared to the width of heel 10, for a reason to behereafter explained. The exact width of ribs 12 and 13 will dependinversely upon the wear characteristics of the heel compositionemployed. I prefer rubber, but other materials may be employed.

When a human foot (not shown) is properly situated in shoe 30, the ballof the foot is situated in the vicinity of 31, the shoe being leftfooted, while the plantar tubercles of the os calcis are situated in thevicinity of 32 and terminates in the vicinity of 33. The rearward heelportion of the foot is nested in the vicinity of 35.

Thus example heel 10, being a left heel adapted to fit left shoe 30, hasshort partial gaps 14 and 15 in ribs 12 and 13 respectively at a pointdisposed forwardly from the back portion 18 of heel 11 a distancesufiicient to lie under the forwardmost portion of the plantartubercules of the os calcis when heel 10 is affixed to occupied shoe 30.That is, gaps 14 and 15 lie under vicinity 33.

One rib, for example rib 13 in the example of left footed heel 10,extends forwardly a relatively short distance beyond gap 15, while rib12 extends forwardly of gap 14 a distance sufficient so as to underliethe bony arch extending forwardly of the plantar tubercles of the oscalcis. That is, example rib 12 extends under vicinity 34.

A built up portion 16 extends between ribs 12 and 13 so as tosubstantially fill in the area between them at the back of the heel asshown at 17, and grades forwardly therefrom into coincidence with thesurface of body portion 11 between ribs 12 and 13 and slightly rearwardof gaps 14 and 15. Built up portion 16 is separated from ribs 12 and 13by a groove 18 extending into built up portion 16 along the intersectionwith ribs 12 and 13 and back portion 19 therebetweenr Groove 18preferably extends into built up portion 16 a major portion of thedepending height of ribs 12 and 13 from 'body portion 11.

By such a construction of heel 10, ribs 12 and 13 are adapted to supporta shoe wearers foot from the rearmost portion of the heel at 35 to theplantar tubercles of the 0s calcis at 32 and to the bony arch extendingforwardly therefrom at 34. Moreover it is apparent that heel 10 hasmaximum flexibility at gaps 14 and 15, which lie under the forwardmostportions of the plantar tubercles of the os calcis, that is at vicinity33. Relatively high and uniform flexibility exists in ribs 12 and 13forwardly of gaps 14 and 15, that is under the bony arch at vicinity 34.The built up portion 16 gives the portion of heel 10 rearward of gaps 14and 15, that is, rearward of the forwardmost portion of the plantartubercles of the os calcis, an increasing rigidity toward rear portion19 from a rigidity equal to that forward of gaps 14 and 15 and rangingupward therefrom to a maximum at rear portion 19 of heel 10.

Thus the distribution of flexibility is such as is medically proper toassure maximum comfort. Flexible portions of ribs 12 and 13 forwardly ofgaps 14 and 15 support the weak arched foot but do not transmit painfulshock to the normal arch. Gaps 14 and 15 assure maximum flexibilitywhere it is needed, that is at the forwardmost portion of the plantartubercles of the os calcis so that both normal and abnormal feet applythe portions forwardly under vicinity 34 in a motion pivoted or rolledfrom gaps 14 and 15, and not in a slapping motion pivoted from rearportion 18. Moreover gaps 14 and 15 prevent binding of the plantartubercles of the os calcis within the shoe.

Also, the increasing rigidity toward rear portion 19 gives increasingsupport to that part of the heel that can take weight and shock withoutfatigue. The increased material at 16 and 17 allows less depressionunder the rear of the wearers foot when his heel hits the terrain. Butthe groove 18 adds appreciably to the flexibility of the rearwardportion of heel 10 without losing the compression strength mentioned.

The other function toward good foot health and comfort performed by thepresent construction is illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. In FIGURE 4 isshown at A the rear view of a conventional heel. When such a heel iswalked in so that the heel addresses the terrain in a canted fashion,wear proceeds along a direction indicated by arrow B. A fulcrum is thusformed at C, and this fulcrum moves inwardly along a direction shown byarrow D when the shoe heel A is further worn along direction B. Theresult of fulcrum C moving inward is a greater and greater turningcouple so that the wearers own tendency to cant his foot is urgedfurther by the wear of the shoe. The closer fulcrum C wears to thecenter of heel A the greater the outward turning couple becomes.

On the other hand, FIGURE 5 shows a schematic of the rear of a heel Ahaving ribs 12 and 13 similar to the ribs disclosed in FIGURES 1 through3. When wear proceeds due to a canted gait, along the direction shown byarrow B, there is no possibility of the fulcrum formed thereby movingfurther inward than C. Thus while the shoe will cant slowly because ofthe wearing away of rib 12, there will be no turning couple produced andno increase in what canting there is inherent in the walker.

That is, the construction of FIGURE 5 will tend to right the foot of thecanted walker, just as nature does when he is barefooted, and whatcanted wear there is will produce no turning couple. The example heel ofFIGURES 1 through 3 operates by ribs 12 and 13 on this principle ofself-righting of canted gait.

In operation, heel is affixed to shoe 3t) and walked in. Suflicientflexibility exists at rear portion 19 because of the action of groove 18so as to cause healthful rolling and flexing of that portion as it firstaddresses the ground. But sufiicient non-compressibility exists therebecause of built up portion 16 to absorb the shock of hitting the groundwithout excessive give of the heel. As the foot rolls or pivotsforwardly flexure occurs at gaps 14 and 15, thus properly pressuring theforward portion of the plantar tubercles of the os calcis. Also theincreased flexibility under the plantar tubercles of the 0s calcisallows give there so as to cushion it against shock.

As the foot is further brought down, pivoting takes place from gaps 14and because of their flexibility, and the forward portions of ribs 12and 13 lying under the bony arch are brought down in a rolling orpivoting motion of a shorter radius than if the heel 1t) pivoted at rearportion 19 all the way through. This shorter radius rolling motionapplies the arch supporting rib portions smoothly to the terrain withoutexcessive shock. Weak arches are thus supported but normal arches arenot fatigued by walking shock. At the same time canting of the walkersgait is compensated for by ribs 12 and 13 as described. Thus comfortablefeet and gait are encouraged both for normal and abnormal feet.

FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a second embodiment of a heel constructedaccording to the present invention. Therein is shown a heel 10a having aresilient body portion 11a mounted on a shoe 30.

Heel 10a has side ribs 12:: and 13a which perform the same functions asribs 12 and 13 of heel 10 described above. In addition, as is best shownin FIGURE 8, gaps or notches 14a and 15a differ from gaps 14 and 15 inheel 10, in that in heel 10a the gaps are continued backwardly to therear of the heel until graded into the heels bottom. In effect, then,side ribs 13a and 12a are graded upwardly and forwardly from backportion 19a to merge with the deepest portion of gaps 14a and 151;.

As best shown in FIGURE 6, gasp 14a and 15a are most advantageouslysituated under region 33 of shoe 3!), that is under the forwardmostportion of the plantar tubercles of the os calcis. Rib portions 12b and13b will then extend forwardly somewhat under the bony arch extendingforwardly of the plantar tubercles of the os calcis. This arrangement isthe same as that for heel 10.

The proper distribution of flexibility that is attained in heel 11) bymeans of inclined portion 16 best shown in FIGURE 3. Sculpted portion16:: is cut deepest and widest at the forwardmost portion of heel 10a,and gradually becomes shallower and narrower toward the rear of heel 10aso as to decrease the flexibility of the heel toward the rear portion.

Rib portions 12b and 13b extend forwardly from gaps 14a and 15a asexplained above. As shown in FIGURE 6, they preferably do not extend allthe way under the bony arch from region 33 to region 34, but ratherextend only a portion of the way. The reason for this will be explainedhereinafter.

When a foot (not shown) is in shoe 30 with heel 10a, and the individualis standing flatly, portions 12b and 13b will be compressed untilinclined or graded portions 13a and 12a are pressed into contact withthe surface upon which the individual is standing. This is a healthystanding condition, unlike the usual heel configuration wherein the backof the heel is raised slightly when flatly standing. However duringwalking, the rear of the heel will often be applied first, and the footwill pivot the weight upon portions 12b and 1312. They will compressupon this application of pressure, and will aid the springy lifting ofthe foot to take the next step. Thus the arrangement of portions 13b and1212 with gaps 14a and 15a and with inclined ribs 13a and 12a aidsproper standing and also gives a springier and less fatiguing walk.

The springiness inherent in portions 12b and 13b will depend upon theircomposition and their length and width, as well as their height abovethe bottoms of gaps 14a and 15a. Whle portions 12b and 13b may beextended fully forwardly under the bony arch and up to region 34, it ispreferred that they extend only partly under the arch, that is, onlypartly from region 33 to region 34. This is because it has been foundthat when the portions just forward of the termination of the plantartubercles of the 0s calcis at 33 are given the extra pressure inherentwhen the portions 12b and 13b thereunder are compressed more than therest of ribs 13a and 13b, that it is not necessary to support more ofthe bony arch. An additional advantage resides in the resultant morenormal appearance of heel 10a because of its shortened length. This isalso enhanced by the fact that in standing gaps 15a and 14a arecompressed so that heel 10a has the normal solid-sided appearance of theordinary heel.

What I claim is:

1. A shoe heel including a resilient body portion adapted to be affixedto a shoe and to extend forwardly from the back of the shoe in the usualmanner, said portion having integrally depending, longitudinallyextending ribs spaced apart from each other with their outer edgescoinciding with the outer edge of said body portion, said body portionand said ribs forming a hollow between the inner edges of said ribs sothat the heel of the wearer of the shoe is supported at least mainly bysaid ribs when the shoe heel initially engages the ground while walking,use of said heel in a canted fashion causing wear loss of one of saidribs to proceed laterally to form an inwardly shifting fulcrum on theground tending to promote further canting to a degree increasing withthe extent of said wear loss, the width of said rib throughout asubstantial portion of its extent upwardly from its bottom beingsubstantially less than that which permits said fulcrum to shift to thesame extent as a heel having a flat bottom and, at least one of saidribs being shaped to form a gap extending forwardly from the back of thesaid rib to a location adjacent to its forward end.

2. A shoe heel including a resilient body portion adaped to be aifixedto a shoe and to extend forwardly from the back of the shoe in the usualmanner, said por tion having integrally depending, longitudinallyextending ribs spaced apart from each other with their outer edgescoinciding with the outer edge of said body portion, said body portionand said ribs forming a hollow between the inner edges of said ribs sothat the heel of the wearer of the shoe is supported at least mainly bysaid ribs when the shoe heel initially engages the ground while walking,use of said heel in a canted fashion causing wear loss of one of saidribs to proceed laterally to form an inwardly shifting fulcrum on theground tending to promote further canting to a degree increasing withthe extent of said wear loss, the width of said rib throughout asubstantial portion of its extent upwardly from its bottom beingsubstantially less than that which permits said fulcrum to shift to thesame extent as a heel having a fiat bottom, said body portion beingvertically thick at its back portion so as to approach the bottom edgesof said ribs and tapering upwardly forwardly thereof so as to graduallyrecede from said bottom edges, and at least one of said ribs beingshaped to form a gap extending forwardly from the back of the said ribto a location adjacent to its forward end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,753,284 Cropp Apr. 8, 1930 1,809,405 Ehrenfried June 9, 1931 2,016,215Pietzuch Oct. 1, 1935 2,414,445 Cahill Jan. 21, 1947 2,629,189 SteinFeb. 24, 1953 2,760,279 Jones Aug. 28, 1956

1. A SHOE HEEL INCLUDING A RESILIENT BODY PORTION ADAPTED TO BE AFFIXEDTO A SHOE AND TO EXTEND FORWARDLY FROM THE BACK OF THE SHOE IN THE USUALMANNER, SAID PORTION HAVING INTEGRALLY DEPENDING, LONGITUDINALLYEXTENDING RIBS SPACED APART FROM EACH OTHER WITH THEIR OUTER EDGESCOINCIDING WITH THE OUTER EDGE OF SAID BODY PORTION, SAID BODY PORTIONAND SAID RIBS FORMING A HOLLOW BETWEEN THE INNER EDGES OF SAID RIBS SOTHAT THE HEEL OF THE WEARER OF THE SHOE IS SUPPORTED AT LEAST MAINLY BYSAID RIBS WHEN THE SHOE HEEL INITIALLY ENGAGES THE GROUND WHILE WALKING,USE OF SAID HEEL IN A CANTED FASHION CAUSING WEAR LOSS OF ONE OF SAIDRIBS TO PROCEED LATERALLY TO FORM AN INWARDLY SHIFTING FULCRUM ON THEGROUND TENDING TO PROMOTE FURTHER CANTING TO A DEGREE INCREASING WITHTHE EXTEND OF SAID WEAR LOSS, THE WIDTH OF SAID RIB THROUGHOUT ASUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF ITS EXTENT UPWARDLY FROM ITS BOTTOM BEINGSUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THAT WHICH PERMITS SAID FULCRUM TO SHIFT TO THESAME EXTENT AS A HEEL HAVING A FLAT BOTTOM AND, AT LEAST ONE OF SAIDRIBS BEING SHAPED TO FORM A GAP EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM THE BACK OF THESAID RIB TO A LOCATION ADJACENT TO ITS FORWARD END.